Human Rights Watch shared the hardships faced by Turkmen nationals living abroad who have been arbitrarily denied passport renewal in a report on Monday.

In the report, Human Rights Watch urged Turkmenistan to issue passports to nationals living abroad via its diplomatic and consular missions. The report focused on Turkmen residing in Türkiye, which is likely home to more expatriate Turkmen citizens than any other country. Turkmenistan nationals without passports struggle to conform to the immigration laws of other countries. Additionally, a lack of proper documentation prevents many from engaging in necessary parts of life.

In Türkiye, those without valid passports cannot legally conduct activities like entering into a lease, boarding domestic flights, and obtaining utility services, among many others. The report emphasized Turkmenistan’s substantial impairments to its citizens’ quality of life. Human Rights Watch stated that the country’s refusal to issue passports violates Turkmens’ human rights.

Turkmenistan is a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and must guarantee its citizens’ freedom of movement among other rights by issuing passports and other travel documents. In further violation of human rights, Turkmenistan refuses to issue birth certificates to children born outside the country. This practice violates children’s right to have their identities recognized.

Citizens of Turkmenistan have been subject to human rights violations for years. The country’s government has a history of stifling freedom of expression and freedom to assemble. Limiting access to passports is another form of repression that has detrimental effects on Turkmen’s well-being.